Thorn Cycles Forum
Technical => Lighting and Electronics => Battery Charging from a Dynamo => Topic started by: Danneaux on August 28, 2013, 07:48:13 pm
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Hi All!
I recently received an email from Oliver Römer principal of Tout Terrain with Stephanie Römer. Oliver tells me Tout Terrain is spinning-off their accessory business under a new name, Cinq. In addition to their new dual-trigger shifters for Rohloff ( http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=7167.msg45621;topicseen#msg45621 ), Cinq5's offerings will contain updates to familiar products, including...
• The Plug III
• ...which is now compatible with the PAT II Power Amplification Technology cable, allowing full charging output at speeds as low as 12km/h and greater performance thoughout the range.
• Smart PowerPack II buffer battery with stated 10 Wh/3000mAh capacity rated for ~4 hours' discharge at USB 5.0vdc @ 500mA. It is housed in a waterproof alu shell and includes an LED flashlight with backup taillight and emergecy flasher functions and mounts on handlebar or stem without tools.
• C-Light seatpost-mounted taillight with 4 LEDs under a diffusion lens.
The Cinq5 website isn't fully live at present, but is available here: http://www.cinq5.de/
The Cinq5 Blog is here (German): http://cinq-five.blogspot.de/
The Cinq5 Blog GoogleTranslated to English: http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcinq-five.blogspot.de%2F&act=url
The Cinq5 catalog may be viewed or downloaded in .PDF format here (German/English): http://www.cinq5.de/CINQ_DE_EN_FINAL_Katalog_web.pdf
Best,
Dan.
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all very clever stuff that's for sure but i bet its gonna be expensive. ::)
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so Dan is this new gadget a big upgrade from plug 11.
will there be a video on the complete set up do you think.
ok for guys like you to set up any tech stuff but i struggle with it. ::)
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Hi jags!
While The Plug III shows higher output at all speeds than the Plug II, it isn't a lot more and is a bit higher at 15kph/9.3mph, then declines toward similar performance to the II until it makes provides more power around 23kph/14mph and retains its higher output thereafter.
The absolute difference in power isn't much...what differs is the speed at which it is available. For example, at maximum output (5.0vds @ 500mA):
~11.5kph/~7mph = Plug III
~14kph/~8.7mph = Plug II+
~18kph/~11mph = Plug II Classic
~21kph/~13mph = Plug I
The Plug II+ is a marked improvement over the Plug I and Plug II Classic when touring at slower speeds; the Plug II+ (which I have) is really worthwhile for charging at slow speeds on gravel, dirt, and long uphills. The Plug III is an incremental improvement over the II+.will there be a video on the complete set up do you think.
Not to worry, jags; setup is extremely easy. The connections go: Dynohub > PAT II > The Plug III. It all just "plugs" together. The Plug itself simply replaces your threadless steerer's top cap. It may be necessary to replace the star-fangled nut with Tout Terrain's removable unit, but not always (if the "petals" in the SFN align to pass the wire). So long as there is enough clearance under the plug to prevent the wires from being crimped at the connector, you're good to go.
Best,
Dan.
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wonder what next dan ::)
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Anyone good with electronics fault finding, these maybe worth trying to fix?
Tout Terrain / Cinq 5 Plug II+ x 2 for Spares/Repairs on sjs_cycles Ebay page.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tout-Terrain-Cinq-5-Plug-II-x-2-for-Spares-Repairs-Used-WB13-/161399774952?pt=UK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL&hash=item25942d1ee8
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Surely intriguing, Mac, and the price is right. Could bea wiring problem, or...?
Looks like a good deal if local.
Best,
Dan
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See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhWvmrcNEnY
I left a comment there, as while the Plug III does have nice output, the high voltage seems a bit worrying. If that really is a reflection of the average voltage and current going into the Plug III (rather than just some quirk of the switching circuitry), that's a lot of power being lost (unnecessary drag at speed), and presumably a lot of heat being generated in the components of the Plug III.